“-----Mark the change at very first vacation,
She's scarcely known to father or relation.
No longer now in vesture neat and tight,
Because forsooth she's learn'd to be polite.
But crop't--a bosom bare, her charms explode,
Her shape, the _tout ensemble a-la-mode_.
Why Bet, cries Pa, what's come to thee of late?
This school has turn'd thy brain as sure as fate.
What means these vulgar ways? I hate 'em wench,
You shan't, I tell thee, imitate the French;
Because great vokes adopt a foreign taste,
And wear their bosoms naked to the waist,
D'ye think you shall--No, no, I loathe such ways,
Mercy! great nokes shew all for nothing now adays.”
~~362~~~
The morning arose with smiles and sunshine, which appeared almost to
invite our party earlier than they intended to the enjoyments of a plan
which had occupied their attention on the previous evening, when Sparkle
proposed a ride, which being consented to, the horses were prepared, and
they were quickly on the road.
Passing through Somers Town, Sparkle remarked to his friend Dashall,
that he could not help thinking that the manners and information of the
rising generation ought to be greatly improved.
“And have you not had sufficient evidence of the fact?” was the reply.
“Why certainly,” continued Sparkle, “if the increase of public schools
round the metropolis is in proportion to what has already met my
eye during our present short ride, there is sufficient evidence that
education is considered as it ought to be, of the first importance. Yet
I question whether we are so much more learned than our ancestors, as
to require such a vast increase of teachers. Nay, is not the market
overstocked with these heads of seminaries, similar to the republic of
letters, which is overwhelmed with authors, and clogged with bookmakers
and books.”
~~363~~~ “This remark,” replied Tom, “might almost as well be made upon
every trade and profession which is followed; in the present day there
are so many in each, that a livelihood can scarcely be obtained, and a
universal grumbling is the consequence.”
“Well,” said Bob, “I can with safety say there are but two trades or
callings that I have met with since my arrival in London, to which I
have discovered no rivalship.”
This remark from Tallyho excited some surprise in the mind of his two
friends, who were anxious to know to what he alluded.
“I mean,” continued he, “the doll's bedstead seller, who is frequently
to be heard in the street of London, bawling with a peculiarity of
voice as singular as the article he has for sale,--'Buy my doll's
bedsteads;'--and the other, a well known whistler, whom you must both
have heard.”
“Egad you are right,” replied Sparkle; “and although I recollect them
both, I must confess the observation now made has never so forcibly
struck me before: it, however, proves you have not exhausted your time
in town without paying attention to the characters it contains, nor the
circumstances by which they obtain their livelihood; and although
the introduction is not exactly in point with the subject of previous
remarks, and ought not to cut the thread of our discourse, it has some
reference, and conveys to my mind a novel piece of information. But I
was about to consider what can be the causes for this extraordinary
host of ladies of all ages, classes and colours, from the Honourable
Mistress------to the Misses Stubbs, who have their establishment for
the education of young ladies in a superior style; and whether in
consequence of this legion of fair labourers in learning and science,
our countrywomen (for I am adverting particularly to the softer sex) are
chaster, wiser, and better, than their mammas and grand-mammas.”
“A most interesting subject, truly,” replied Tom, “and well worthy of
close investigation. Now for my part I apprehend that the increase of
tutors arises from many other causes than the more general diffusion of
knowledge.”
~~364~~~ “There can be no doubt of it,” continued Sparkle, “and some
of those causes are odd enough--very opposite to wisdom, and not more
conducive to improvement; for amongst them you will find pride, poverty,
and idleness.
“For instance, you may discover that the proud partner of a shopkeeper
in the general line, or more plainly speaking, the proprietor of a
chandler's shop, is ambitious of having her daughter accomplished.
“E'en good Geoffrey Forge, a blacksmith by descent,
Who has his life 'midst bars and hammers spent,
Resolves his Bet shall learn to read and write,
And grace his table with a wit polite.
To make for father's sense a reparation--
The day arrives for fatal separation;
When Betsey quits her dad with tears of woe,
And goes to boarding-school--at Pimlico.”
“Well, the accomplishments sought are music, dancing, French, and
ornamental work; instead of learning the Bible, being brought up to
domestic utility, cooking, washing, plain work, and the arithmetic
necessary for keeping the accounts of her father's shop. What is the
consequence?--the change in her education quite unfits Miss for her
station in life; makes her look down on her unlettered Pa--and Ma--as
persons too ignorant for her to associate with; while she is looking
up with anxious expectation to marry a man of fortune (probably an
officer); and is not unfrequently taken unceremoniously without the
consent of her parents on a visit to the church.''
“You are pushing the matter as close as you can, Charles,” said Dashall;
“though I confess I think, nay I may say indeed I know some instances
in which such fatal consequences have been the result of the conduct to
which you allude.”
“Well, then, suppose even that this superior style of education should
not have the effect of turning the poor girl's head, and that she really
has prudence and discretion enough to avoid the perils and snares of
ambition; Miss Celestina is at least unfitted for a tradesman's wife,
and she must either become a companion, or a governess, or a teacher
at a school, or be set up as the Minerva of an evening school--half
educated herself, and exposed in every situation for which she is
conceived to be fitted, to numerous temptations, betwixt the teachers
of waltzes and quadrilles--the one horse chaise dancing-masters--the
lax-moraled foreign music-master--or the dashing Pa--of her young pupils
(perhaps a Peer). Celibacy is not always so much an affair of choice as
of circumstances, and sad difficulties are consequently thrown in the
way of poor Miss So and So's path through life--all originating from
pride.”
~~365~~~ “Well,” said Bob, “since you have been amusing us with
this description, I have counted not less than eight seminaries,
establishments, and preparatory schools.”
“I do not doubt it,” continued Sparkle; “and some of them on the meanest
scale, notwithstanding the high sounding titles under which they are
introduced to public notice: others presided over by sister spinsters,
not unfrequently with Frenchified names; such, for instance, as
'Mesdames Puerdon's Seminary,' the lady's real name being Martha (or,
if you please, Patty) Purton, and a deformed relative completing
the Mesdames: the 'Misses de la Porte,' (whom nature had made simple
Porter), and no great catch to obtain either: the 'Misses Cox's
preparatory school for young gentlemen of an early age,' all seem
to bespeak the poverty, false pride, and affectation of the owners.
Notwithstanding the fine denominations given to some of these learned
institutions, such as 'Bellevue Seminary'--'Montpeliere House'--'Bel
Retiro Boarding School,' &c. &c.
“To such artifices as these are two classes of females compelled to
resort, namely, reduced gentlewomen and exalted tradesmen's daughters,
who disdain commerce, and hate the homely station which dame nature had
originally intended them to move in. Such ladies (either by birth or
adoption) prefer the twig to the distaff, the study to the shop, and
experience more pleasure in walking out airing with their pupils, taking
their station in the front, frequently gaudily and indiscreetly dressed,
than to be confined to the counter, or the domestic occupations of the
good old English housewife of former times.
“Such ladies are frequently to be met with on all the Greens and
Commons, from dirty Stepney or Bethnal, to the more sumptuous Clapham or
Willisdon. Some of them are so occupied with self, that the random-shot
glances of their pupils at the exquisites and the dandy militaires about
town, do not come within the range of their notice, while others are
more vigilant, but often heave a sigh at the thought that the gay and
gallant Captain should prefer the ruddy daughter of a cheese-monger, to
the reduced sprigs of gentility which they consider themselves.
~~366~~~ “At all events, many of these ladies,and worthy ones too, are
placed, _par force_ of poverty, in this avocation, unsuited to their
abilities, their hearts, their habits, or their former expectations. The
government of their young flock is odious to them, and although they may
go through the duties of their situation with apparent patience, it is
in fact a drudgery almost insupportable; and the objects nearest the
governess's heart--are the arrival of the vacation, the entrance-money,
the quarter's schooling, and a lengthy list of items: the arrival of
Black Monday, or a cessation of holidays, brings depressed spirits, and
she returns to her occupation, deploring her unlucky stars which placed
her in so laborious a situation--envies her cousin Sarah, who has
caught a minor in her net; nay even perhaps would be happy to exchange
circumstances with the thoughtless Miss Skipwell, who has run away with
her dancing-master, or ruined a young clergyman, of a serious turn, by
addressing love-letters to him, copied from the most romantic novels,
which have softened his heart into matrimony, and made genteel beggars
of the reverend mistress, himself, and a numerous offspring.”
“Very agreeable, indeed,” cried Dashall.
“Perhaps not,” said Tallyho, interrupting him, “to the parties
described.”
“You mistake me,” was the reply; “I meant the combination of air and
exercise with the excellent descriptions of our friend Sparkle, who by
the way has not yet done with the subject.”
“I am aware of it,” continued Sparkle, “for there is one part which I
mentioned at the outset, which may with great propriety be added in the
way of elucidation--I mean Idleness: it is the third, and shall for
the present be the last subject of our consideration, and even this has
contributed its fair proportion of teachers to the world. Miss Mel ta
way, the daughter of a tallow-chandler, who ruined himself by dressing
extravagantly his wife, and over educating his dear Caroline Matilda,
in consequence of which he failed, and shortly afterwards left the world
altogether,--was brought up in the straw line; but this was no solid
trade, and could not be relied upon: however, she plays upon the harp
and the guitar. What advantages! yet she also failed in the straw-hat
line, and therefore Idleness prefers becoming an assistant teacher
and music mistress, to taking to any more laborious, even though more
productive mode of obtaining a livelihood.
~~367~~~ “Then Miss Nugent has a few hundred pounds, the remnant of
Pa's gleanings (Pa having been the retired butler of a Pigeoned Peer.) A
retail bookseller sought her hand in marriage, but she thought him
quite a vulgar fellow. He had no taste for waltzing, at which she was
considered to excel--he blamed her indulgence in such pleasures, and
ventured to hint something about a pudding. Then again, he can't speak
French, and dresses in dittoes. Now all this is really barbarous, and
consequently Miss Nugent spurns the idea of such a connection.
“Let us trace her still further. In a short time she is addressed by a
Captain Kirkpatrick Tyrconnel, who makes his approaches with a splendid
equipage. The romantic sound of the former, and the glare of the latter,
attract her attention. The title of Captain, however, is merely a _nom
de guerre_, for he is only an ensign on half-pay. Miss is delighted with
his attentions: he is a charming fellow, highly accomplished, for he
sings duets, waltzes admirably, plays the German flute, and interlards
his conversation with scraps of French and Spanish. Altogether he is
truly irresistible, and she is willing to lay her person and her few
hundreds at the feet of the conquerer. The day is appointed, and every
preparation made for the nuptial ceremony; when ah! who can foresee,
“The various turns of fate below.”
An athletic Hibernian wife, formerly the widow of Dennis O'Drumball,
steps in between the young lady and the hymeneal altar, and claims the
Captain as her husband--she being the landlady of a country ale-house
where he had been quartered, whom he had married by way of discharging
his bill. The interposition is fortunate, because it saves the Captain
from an involuntary trip to Botany Bay, and Miss from an alliance of
a bigamical kind; though it has at the same time proved a severe
disappointment to the young lady.
“Crossed in love--wounded in the most tender part--she forswears the
hymeneal tie; and under such unfortunate circumstances she opens a
Seminary, to which she devotes the remainder of her life.”
~~368~~~ “Pray,” said Bob, whose eyes were as open as his ears, “did you
notice that shining black board, with preposterous large gold letters,
announcing 'Miss Smallgood's establishment for Young Ladies,' and close
alongside of it another, informing the passenger,--' That man-traps were
placed in the premises.'”
“I did,” said Sparkle--“but I do not think that, though somewhat
curious, the most remarkable or strange association. Young ladies
educated on an improved plan, and man-traps advertised in order to
create terror and dismay! For connected with this method of announcing
places of education, is a recollection of receptacles of another
nature.”
“To what do you allude?” inquired Tallyho. “Why, in many instances,
private mad-houses are disguised as boarding schools, under the
designation of 'Establishment.' Many of these receptacles in the
vicinity of the metropolis, are rendered subservient to the very
worst of purposes, though originally intended for the safety of the
individual, as well as the security of the public against the commission
of acts, which are too frequently to be deplored as the effect of
insanity. Of all the houses of mourning, that to which poor unhappy
mortals are sent under mental derangement is decidedly the most gloomy.
The idea strikes the imagination with horror, which is considerably
increased by a reflection on the numerous human victims that are
incarcerated within their walls, the discipline they are subjected
to, and the usual pecuniary success which attends the keepers of such
establishments,--where the continuance of the patient is the chief
source of interest, rather than the recovery. That they are useful
in some cases cannot be denied, but there are many instances too well
authenticated to be doubted, where persons desirous of getting rid of
aged and infirm relatives, particularly if they manifested any little
aberration of mind (as is common in advanced age), have consigned them
to these receptacles, from which, through the supposed kindness of
their friends, and the management of the proprietors, they have never
returned. If the parties ail nothing, they are soon driven to insanity
by ill usage, association with unfortunates confined like themselves,
vexation at the treatment, and absolute despair of escape; or if
partially or slightly afflicted, the lucid intervals are prevented,
and the disorder by these means is increased and confirmed by coercion,
irritation of mind, and despair.”
~~369~~~ “This is a deplorable picture of the state of things, indeed,”
said Tallyho.
“But it is unvarnished,” was the reply; “the picture requires no
imaginary embellishment, since it has its foundation in truth. Then
again, contrast the situation of the confined with the confinera. The
relatives have an interest in the care of the person, and a control over
the property, which in cases of death frequently becomes their own.
The keepers of these receptacles have also an interest in keeping the
relatives in a disposition to forward all their views of retaining the
patient, who, under the representation of being seriously deranged, is
not believed; consequently all is delusion, but the advantages which
ultimately fall to the tender-hearted relative, or the more artful
proprietor of the mad-house; and it is wonderful what immense fortunes
are made by the latter; nay not only by the proprietors, but even
the menials in their employ, many of whom have been known to retire
independent, a circumstance which clearly proves, that by some means or
other they must have possessed themselves of the care of the property,
as well as that of the persons of their unfortunate victims.”
“This is a dull subject,” said Dashall, “though I confess that some
exposures which have been made fully justify your observations; but I am
not fond of looking at such gloomy pictures of Real Life.”
“True,” replied Sparkle; “but it connects itself with the object you
have had in view; and though I know there are many who possess souls
of sensibility, and who would shrink from the contemplation of so much
suffering humanity, it is still desirable they should know the effects
produced almost by inconceivable causes. I know people in general avoid
the contemplation, as well as fly from the abodes of misery, contenting
themselves by sending pecuniary assistance. But unfortunately there
are a number of things that wear a similarity of appearance, yet are so
unlike in essence and reality, that they are frequently mistaken by the
credulous and unwary, who become dupes, merely because they are not eye
witnesses of the facts. But if the subject is dull, let us push forward,
take a gallop over Hampstead Heath, and return.”
~~370~~~ “With all my heart,” cried Dashall, giving a spur to his horse,
and away they went.
The day was delightfully fine; the appearance of the country banished
all gloomy thoughts from their minds; and after a most agreeable ride,
they returned to Piccadilly, where finding dinner ready, they spent
the remainder of the evening in the utmost hilarity, and the mutual
interchange of amusing and interesting conversation, principally
relative to Sparkle's friends in the country, and their arrangements for
the remainder of their time during their stay in the metropolis.